King of Sloth (Kings of Sin, #4)

by Ana Huang

“Hey! I was—” Her protest cut off in a yelp when I swept her off her feet and tossed her over my shoulder. I didn’t trust her to walk straight in those heels after God knew how many drinks.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “I’m not you. People don’t care what I do in my free time.” “That’s not true.” I care.

“You’re always telling me to ‘loosen up.’ Now that I am, you have a problem with it?” “I have a problem with some random guy groping you in public,” I snapped. “Why?” Because the thought of anyone else touching you fucking kills me. “Because.” Irrational anger blanketed my words with heat. “It’s not you.”

Every piece of vitriol dragged us closer until we stood inches apart, our chests heaving and our bodies shaking from the force of our convictions.

I was always telling her to loosen up. But not like this. Not when it came from a place of pain rather than freedom.

Let me in, Luna.

I was about to email Perry and chew him out when Xavier woke up. “I know that look,” he said, his first words in hours colored with exhaustion. “Who pissed you off?”

“That’s all you have to say?” “What else do you want me to say? It’s Perry. This is what he does.” Xavier shrugged and handed the phone back to me. “Besides, he’s the least of my worries right now.” My anger collapsed like a house of cards caught in a sudden gust of wind.

“You don’t have to stay here,” I told Sloane. Her clean, crisp scent drifted over me, masking echoes of the smoke. “I’ll be happy to book you a suite at the Four Seasons.”

“Trying to kick me out already? That’s record timing.”

“Maybe. But I’d rather be here.”

“Oh, you know Alberto.” Tía Lupe scoffed. “Always holding on to the romantic notion that my dear nephew will someday stop being a disappointment. Honestly, Xavier, if your mother were alive, she would hate—” The rest of her sentence cut off with a shriek when I grabbed her by the front of her shirt and yanked her toward me. “Do not ever talk about my mother,” I said, my voice deceptively soft. “You may be family, but sometimes, that’s not enough. Do you understand?”

“How dare you. Let go of me this instant, or⁠—” “Do. You. Understand?”

“Tough love, Luna,” I drawled. “You’re good at that.”

“Sorry, Luna, you’ll have to find another TV for your rom-coms,”

“This one is occupied.” “I know. I didn’t come to watch a movie.” I sat beside him and unloaded my armful of goods on the coffee table. “I came to see you.”

“Sure. As long as I’m still your favorite.”

“Told you.” Xavier’s dimples made a surprise appearance. “Have another one. She loves making them. Says it’s soothing.”

“Did you eat lunch or breakfast?” No. “I brought the food for you.” “Yes, and I’m sharing it with you.” He nudged the plate toward me. “I insist.”

Xavier didn’t flinch beneath the force of my stare. “She’s almost in the double digits,” he said. “Big milestone.”

“Your mother left you a letter.” Six words. One sentence. That was all it took to obliterate my defenses.

“You have a habit of breaking into my bedroom, Luna,”

His smile peeked out like a tiny ray of sunshine through gray storm clouds.

I couldn’t imagine the gorgeous but broody crown prince of Eldorra enjoying something as soft as drawing. He looked like he wrestled bears for fun.

“I said your hobbies are boring, not you. I don’t find a single thing about you boring.”

We made it halfway before a light touch on my shoulder forced me to halt. “Before we go in there…” Xavier swallowed, his eyes clouded with turmoil. “Thank you for checking on me.”

It hadn’t occurred to me before, but in a house filled with his family, I was the first person to check and see if he was okay. “You’re welcome,” I said quietly.

Sloane was the closest thing I had to a support system, and she didn’t even like me. But she was here, I wanted her here, and that was more than I could say for anyone else in my life.

Perfect hair. Perfect clothes. Perfect skin. She was the picture of flawlessness, but I was starting to see the cracks beneath her polished façade. Instead of detracting from her beauty, they added to it.

The world is big enough for all of our dreams.

(And if you can’t decide where to go, choose a spot close to the beach. Trust me. The water heals us in ways we can’t comprehend.)

No matter which road you take, I’m proud of you. I hope you are too. Be proud of the person you’ve become and the person you’ll grow into. Even though you’ve just arrived in the world, I know you’ll make it a better place. You’re my greatest joy, and you always will be.

The greatest gift we have is time. Use it wisely.

“Well?” she demanded. “What do you have to say about this will? It’s utterly⁠—” “Tía? Shut the hell up.” I thought I saw Sloane smirk out of the corner of my eye as Tía Lupe gasped.

“That’s what I thought.” My hand curled around the arm of my chair. “Who are the preselected committee members my father mentioned?” “Ah, yes.” Santos adjusted his glasses and read from the will again. “The committee will consist of the following five members: Eduardo Aguilar…” Expected. “Martin Herrera…” Tía Lupe’s husband. Less expected, but he was the fairest and most levelheaded person in my family. “Mariana Acevedo…” Chairwoman of the Castillo Group’s board. “Dante Russo…” Wait. What the fuck? “And Sloane Kensington.”

“Tell me, Sloane. Who do you think would do the company more justice? Someone qualified who actually wants to be there, or me, the reluctant heir who was placed there by default?” Someone qualified. The tone of his voice, the shadows in his eyes… And there it was. Beneath the jokes and stubbornness lurked the root of his refusal: fear. Fear of failure. Fear of not living up to expectations. Fear of running and ruining an empire built on his last name.

“Let’s say you and your father are still talking. What would you do if he said he’ll cut you off unless you quit your job and marry some polo-playing douche named Gideon?” Touché. “I’d tell him to fuck off.”

“But that’s the thing about reputations and livelihoods. They can be rebuilt.” “Careful, Luna. You sound almost optimistic.”

“You make it sound like I’m doom and gloom all the time. I’m a fun person.” “Hmm.” I frowned. “Just because I don’t go clubbing every night or party on yachts every weekend doesn’t mean I’m not fun.” “Mm-hmm.” “Stop doing that!” “Doing what?” Xavier asked innocently. “Making that noise. I can hear your skepticism.”

“I have it,” I said breathlessly. “Have what? You gotta give me more than that, Luna.”

Then slowly, so slowly it dawned like the sun over the horizon, a smile blossomed across his mouth. “Sloane Kensington, I like the way you think.”

though I wished she were here anyway.

knowing smile tugged at the corner of Kai’s mouth. If Dante made it his job to know everything, Kai’s job was to know everything.

“Xavier, I’m not a journalist after a story. What we discuss is strictly private.” Kai paused, then added, “I speak with Sloane often. I understand how to keep confidentiality.”

The wheels started spinning. If I was serious about starting a new company, I needed allies, and the CEO of the Young Corporation was one of the most powerful allies I could get. “As a matter of fact,” I said, piecing together a plan on the spot. “There is something I want to discuss with you…”

There’s potential in each and every one of us, and I hope you fulfill yours to the point of happiness.

Be proud of the person you’ve become and the person you’ll grow into.

“This is Xavier Castillo,” I said, hoping to God I wouldn’t regret this down the road. “Are you free next week? I’d like to talk.”

“Regardless, I wouldn’t kiss Xavier Castillo if he were the last man on earth,” I said coolly. “He is not my type.” He’s also gorgeous, and kind, and smarter than people give him credit for, a voice sang in my head.

“Maybe he’s not your type, but never say never.” Her blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “I think he has a thing for you. I’ve seen him staring at you at multiple events over the years. He can’t look away.”